A team from Osaka Metropolitan University discovered the protein fibulin-5 in liver stellate cells, which turned out to be an early sign of tissue damage. The findings are based on an analysis of liver tissue samples from patients with hepatitis C, in which fibulin-5 was identified.
Protein levels varied depending on the stage of disease progression, with fibulin-5 levels increasing as liver tissue was damaged.
"Thus, the determination of fubulin-5 in the blood can be used to assess the risks of early fibrosis, disease progression, and even to predict the risk of liver cancer," said study author Misako Sato Matsubara.
First and foremost, the scientists see great potential for this discovery in monitoring patients with hepatitis C. It is known that even after successful treatment of the virus, fibrosis can progress in the tissue, significantly increasing the risk of developing cirrhosis and liver cancer. Naturally, the diagnostics will also be useful for assessing liver damage due to other infections and excessive alcohol consumption. Preclinical experiments are currently underway.
Previously, other scientists discovered that a common chemical can triple the risk of liver fibrosis. It is used in dry cleaning products and various consumer products.
